British Army General. Born the second son of Thomas Gage, Viscount Gage of Castle Island in Firle, Sussex, England. In 1728, Gage was sent to the Westminster School. As was typical of younger sons of the peerage, Gage then purchased a commission as an ensign in the British Army and entered service in 1740 as an aide de camp to Lord Albemarle. In January 1743, he was promoted to Captain. In 1745, he saw action at Fontenoy and Culloden while serving Lord Albemarle. Gage participated in 1747- 1748 campaigns in the Low Countries. He then transferred to the 55th Regiment under Colonel John Lee. The regiment was soon renumbered the 44th. In 1748, he purchased the rank of Major and in March 1751, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. The 44th was one of two regiments of regulars sent to America under General Braddock for service in the French and Indian War late in 1754. In August 1756 he was second-in-command on an unsuccessful expedition up along the Mohawk River. He married Margaret Kemble of Brunswick, New Jersey on December 8, 1758. They would eventually produce five daughters and six sons. Their eldest surviving son, Henry, would succeed his uncle as the third Viscount Gage. In January 1759, Brig. General Gage took command of Albany. In 1760 Gage was appointed military governor of Montreal. He was promoted to Major General in 1761 and in 1763 Gage was appointed acting commander in chief of all British forces in North America. Following the passage of the Stamp Act, Gage began to pull troops from western and rural posts into the coastal cities. Gage was ordered to Boston with four regiments, arriving in May 1774. He was appointed Royal Governor of Massachusetts. Almost immediately, Gage declared martial law. Late in 1774, Gage began seizing powder stores. On April 19, 1775, Gage ordered Lt. Colonel Francis Smith and Major James Pitcairn to carry out the seizure of the munitions at Concord. Gage was recalled to London after the Battle of Bunker Hill. Gage's subsequent career was uneventful. In April 1781, Major General Gage returned to duty with an appointment to General Jeffrey Amherst's staff. In April 1782, he was appointed colonel of the 17th light dragoons on 20 November 1782; he was promoted to full General. In 1785 he transferred to the 11th dragoons. Gage's health thereafter began to decline. After a long illness, he died in Portland Place, London, England at age 68.